Daido Moriyama Style Guide
How to shoot street photography like the master of Are-Bure-Boke. A comprehensive guide to capturing the gritty soul of the streets.
Who is Daido Moriyama?
Daido Moriyama (born 1938) is a Japanese photographer considered one of the most important figures in the history of photography. His work has fundamentally changed how we think about street photography.
Born in Osaka, Moriyama moved to Tokyo in the 1960s and began documenting the city's streets with a raw, unfiltered approach that broke all the rules of traditional photography.
The Philosophy
Moriyama's approach isn't just about technique — it's a philosophy. Here are the core principles:
1. "I want to take photographs that are capable of hurting someone"
Moriyama doesn't aim for pleasant images. He wants his photos to provoke, to make you feel something visceral. This isn't about beauty — it's about truth.
2. "The city is a living organism"
For Moriyama, the city isn't just a backdrop — it's alive. His photos capture the pulse, the energy, the chaos of urban life. He doesn't photograph the city; he photographs with the city.
3. "There's no such thing as a bad photograph"
Technical imperfection isn't failure — it's expression. Grain, blur, out-of-focus... these aren't mistakes. They're the language of the streets.
Camera Equipment
Moriyama is famously low-tech. Here's what he uses:
Film Cameras
- Ricoh GR1v — his go-to compact
- Contax T3 — another favorite compact
- Nikon FM2 — for more deliberate work
- Any camera — he's been known to use disposables
Film Stock
- Kodak Tri-X 400 — pushed to 1600-3200
- Ilford HP5+ — another classic choice
- Fuji Superia — for color work
- Any film — he's not precious about gear
Shooting Techniques
1. Shoot from the Hip
Don't look through the viewfinder. Hold the camera at waist level and shoot. This creates unexpected angles and compositions you'd never get otherwise.
2. Move While Shooting
Don't stand still. Walk, turn, twist, shake. Let the camera capture your movement. The blur isn't a flaw — it's the energy of the streets.
3. Get Close
Fill the frame. Get uncomfortably close. Moriyama's best work often has the camera within arm's reach of his subjects. This creates intimacy and tension.
4. Shoot Everything
Don't be selective. Shoot everything that catches your eye. A shadow, a sign, a stranger's back. You'll edit later. In the moment, just shoot.
5. Embrace the "Mistakes"
Out of focus? Keep it. Motion blur? Perfect. Grainy as hell? Exactly what you want. The "mistakes" are what make the image.
Post-Processing
Moriyama's darkroom technique is as raw as his shooting:
- High contrast: Push the blacks, blow the whites
- Heavy grain: Don't reduce it — embrace it
- Aggressive dodging/burning: Darken edges, lighten subjects
- No retouching: Dust, scratches, imperfections stay
Digital Equivalent
Shooting digital? Here's how to get the Moriyama look:
Camera Settings
- ISO: 3200-6400 (or higher)
- Shutter: 1/30s or slower
- Aperture: f/2 or wider
- Focus: Manual, intentionally soft
- Mode: Full manual or aperture priority
Post-Processing (Lightroom)
- Convert to B&W
- Contrast: +70 to +100
- Blacks: -50 to -80
- Whites: +30 to +50
- Grain: 40-60, Size 25, Roughness 50
- Clarity: +20 to +40
Key Takeaways
- Forget the rules. Composition, focus, exposure — they're guidelines, not laws.
- Shoot with your gut. Don't think. React. The moment is now.
- Embrace imperfection. The grain, the blur, the soft focus — they're your voice.
- Get close. Physically and emotionally. Fill the frame.
- Shoot every day. Moriyama shoots constantly. You should too.
Join the Community
Want to learn more about the Daido Moriyama style? Join our community of 15,200+ street photographers who share your passion.
SPDMI.ART
Home of the Are-Bure-Boke Community